Brazil's lower house approves tax exemption for solar panels

Solar array. Author: h080.

December 5 (Renewables Now) - The Mines and Energy Committee from the House of Representatives in Brazil approved on Monday a bill that exempts solar panels from the Tax on Industrialised Products (IPI).

In addition to the tax exemption for the solar panels used in water heating and power generation, the proposal also makes mandatory the use of solar energy in federal government buildings constructed after the bill turns into law.

Under the new approved 4536/12 bill, future public buildings will have to use solar energy to meet 10% of their electricity consumption. In cases when it is not possible to install the solar panels on the building itself, they should be deployed remotely but within the same concession area.

The proposal is now waiting the green light from the Finance and Taxation as well as the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship committees.